CELL CITY ACTIVITY

Assignment:

1. Search the Internet and your textbook for information on animal and plant cell structures.

2. List the parts of a cell and its organelles.

3. Draw a picture of an animal cell and label the parts and the organelles.

4. You are to compare the cell parts and organelles to the structure of a city. Using the form provided, define the functions of the listed parts and organelles and how and why you can have different comparisons of a city structure to a cell component.

5. Using a poster board, white paper & other materials, construct a city utilizing structures that you feel are similar to the cell structures. Underneath each city structure, label the name of the cell part or organelle that you feel is similar. You may draw your city structure although it is preferred that you use graphics of the computer. You may also combine computer graphics and your own drawings in building your city.

6. Be prepared to give a presentation to the class of your cell city.

 

 

Activity Overview:

Students, in this lesson, you will compare the structure and function of the cell and cell parts to a city.

 

Materials:

*Computer with Internet access.

*Poster board or large drafting paper.

*Colored pencils and other construction materials.

*Hand-outs & Cell-terms

*Science Text

 

Time Required:

Three class periods plus independent work.

 

Procedure:

1) In class we will discuss the structure and function of the cell and its organelles. Specificly, we will learn the components and interrelationship of components of the animal cell.

2) Next we will discuss how structures in a city might be compared to a cell. For instance, a cell is like a city; it has a central governing body, a transportation system and other similarities. A good example would be comparing a mitochondria to a power-plant because the mitochondria are the sites of aerobic respiration within the cell and hence the suppliers of energy.

3) Students, once you have formed groups of three or four members you will surf the web. The students' web page has background information on the structure and function of the cell to help base your cell analogies. Cell terms and handouts will be provided.

4) Learners you will creatively construct your cell city on poster board. Clearly label all parts of your diagram and analogies.

5) Students you will be responsible to present your comparisons, complete with illustrations, to the class. Each member in the group will explain the several relationships between the city and the cell in detail.

 

Cautions:

Use Internet appropriately.

Do not run with scissors.

 

Objectives:

*Identify & understand the structure and function of all cell components.

*Create a comparative analogy of a cell to a city.

*Work effectively in teams.

 

Evaluations:

Presentation, Hand-outs, Cell Quiz.